# E158 - The Beginning of Hope and Despair
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/G61QK9EGY/the-beginning-of-hope-and-despair)
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(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
**[00:13] Ralph**
I need to get through this strong magic
region before my mana runs out.
**[00:27] Ralph**
Back off!
**[00:32] Ralph**
I can't die in a place like this!
**[00:40] Ralph**
*Not until I tell him.*
***SIGN*** The Beginning of Hope and Despair
**[02:30] Soldier A**
The giant mobile fortress, Candelo,
**[02:33] Soldier A**
created to cross the strong magic region...
**[02:36] Soldier A**
Isn't it just the best?
**[02:40] Soldier A**
But this low-stage trash
sure does run out of mana fast.
**[02:46] Soldier**
We just need half of them to survive until
we get out of the strong magic region.
**[02:51] Soldier**
There is mana within life energy.
**[02:54] Soldier**
Get every last drop of mana from them,
even if it's from a child.
**[03:08] Loropechika**
Thank you for responding
to the sudden summons.
**[03:12] Noelle**
There's no need for formality, Loropechika.
***SIGN*** Noelle Silva
**[03:15] Noelle**
More importantly, the Spade Kingdom's
army is drawing nearer, isn't it?
**[03:18] Loropechika**
Yes. They will soon reach
our kingdom's borders.
**[03:22] Gaja**
Within the last six months,
the Spade Kingdom has
**[03:24] Gaja**
basically taken over the Diamond Kingdom,
**[03:27] Gaja**
and is now advancing toward the
Clover Kingdom and the Heart Kingdom.
***SIGN*** Leopold Vermillion
**[03:33] Leopold**
We were also preparing for an attack,
**[03:36] Leopold**
but it seems they've gotten ahead of us.
***SIGN*** Luck Voltia
**[03:38] Luck**
I'm ready to fight whenever.
**[03:40] Loropechika**
Yes. I'd like all of you to intercept them,
**[03:44] Loropechika**
but the Spade Kingdom's forces are
currently in the strong magic region.
***SIGN*** Finral Roulacase
**[03:48] Finral**
I guess timing will be really important.
**[03:51] Finral**
They might be easier to fight
if we draw them closer to us.
**[03:55] Mimosa**
If they're going through
the strong magic region,
**[03:57] Mimosa**
they should be weakened by the
time they reach the border.
***SIGN*** Mimosa Vermillion
**[04:00] Mimosa**
That will be the moment to strike.
**[04:02] Loropechika**
Actually, it's rather likely their
forces will not be weakened.
**[04:06] Loropechika**
They are heading here in a mobile fortress.
**[04:10] Noelle**
A mobile fortress?
**[04:13] Loropechika**
They use those in their kingdom who
are at a lower stage in a vile fashion...
**[04:18] Loropechika**
as energy to move this fortress.
**[04:24] Noelle**
Hey!
**[04:25] Finral**
We're still in the middle
of our strategy meeting.
**[04:28] Mimosa**
What shall we do? Should we bring
him back for the time being?
**[04:33] Loropechika**
No. Let us have him break
through the front lines.
**[04:37] Loropechika**
I'm quite certain that he
will not be defeated easily.
**[04:43] Gaja**
The ones who see results from this training
**[04:45] Gaja**
should only be those loved by mana
and those in the higher stages
**[04:49] Gaja**
who can use the techniques.
**[04:52] Gaja**
But to think he, someone with no magic,
**[04:54] Gaja**
would get so much stronger
after training with us.
**[04:59] Loropechika**
The fact that he's at the
arcane stage was surprising,
**[05:01] Loropechika**
but even more surprising
was his hard work, gutsiness,
**[05:04] Loropechika**
and strength to never give up.
**[05:13] Soldier A**
And done.
**[05:15] Soldier B**
All right, so who's next?
**[05:19] Soldier B**
Make sure you carry the fallen to the back.
**[05:22] Girl**
P-Please! She's still small
and barely has any mana!
**[05:28] Girl**
Please have mercy!
**[05:30] Soldier A**
Oh?
**[05:32] Soldier A**
You have some nerve, trying to talk to us.
**[05:37] Soldier A**
You're nothing but low-stage scum.
**[05:42] Soldier A**
You low-stage trash who can barely
manage attack magic can only be useful
**[05:46] Soldier A**
by contributing your measly
mana to move this fortress!
**[05:53] Soldier B**
If you don't wanna get hurt,
don't get any funny ideas.
**[05:59] Soldier C**
You guys are blessed, really.
**[06:01] Soldier C**
You won't be killed until all your mana's gone.
**[06:08] Soldier A**
All right.
**[06:10] Soldier A**
You get to play a special little role.
**[06:15] Girl**
N-No!
**[06:17] Little girl**
Sis!
**[06:17] Soldier A**
Someone as low-class as you will actually
be of use to me. You should be honored!
**[06:26] Girl**
Huh?
**[06:35] Asta**
Man... what's with this crazy weather?
**[06:39] Asta**
Well, that's a strong magic region for you.
**[06:42] Asta**
Guess I don't have full
control over it yet. Damn!
**[06:47] Asta**
Demon-Slayer!
**[06:55] Asta**
All right!
**[07:02] Soldier A**
That robe... You must be a Magic Knight
from the Clover Kingdom.
**[07:06] Soldier A**
What are you doing here?
**[07:09] Soldier A**
What's with this guy?
He doesn't have any mana at all!
**[07:13] Soldier B**
Hey, come on, now!
**[07:14] Soldier C**
He came here by himself? What an idiot.
**[07:18] Soldier A**
I don't know why you showed up,
but you're just wasting your time!
**[07:22] Soldier A**
I'll finish you off in an instant!
**[07:24] Soldier A**
You piece of trash!
**[07:29] Soldier B/C**
Wha—
**[07:30] Asta**
Wasting time? That's my line.
**[07:34] Asta**
I don't know how many of you there are,
but I'll take care of you in an instant.
**[07:39] Asta**
So all of you can come at me at once!
**[07:42] Soldier B**
You brat!
**[07:43] Soldier C**
Who do you think you are?
**[07:50] Asta**
I'm one of the Clover Kingdom's Magic Knights,
Asta of the Black Bulls!
**[07:56] Asta**
I won't harm any of you!
**[07:59] Asta**
Don't worry! You're safe now!
**[08:06] Girl**
We're only being left alive... so that
our mana can keep this fortress moving.
**[08:14] Asta**
*Her heart is... frightened?*
**[08:18] Girl**
We can never leave this place.
**[08:22] Girl**
Even if we were to be freed,
we couldn't escape this strong magic region.
**[08:29] Girl**
Why did this happen?
We don't want this war.
**[08:35] Asta**
* Who's the one making these*
* people suffer like this?*
**[08:39] Girl**
The captain in charge of this
fortress has an eerie magic.
**[08:44] Girl**
He has some otherworldly, frightful power.
**[08:50] Asta**
All right.
**[08:52] Asta**
In that case, I'm gonna go beat
down all the bad guys here.
**[08:57] Girl**
What?! But that's impossible!
**[09:00] Girl**
There are still so many soldiers, and...
**[09:03] Asta**
Don't worry!
**[09:08] Soldier D**
Are you the intruder?!
**[09:10] Soldier E**
You won't get away!
**[09:11] Asta**
Demon-Dweller!
**[09:13] Asta**
Black Slash!
**[09:22] Asta**
So you're up there, huh?
**[09:27] Soldier I**
What the?!
**[09:31] Soldier J**
Why, you—
**[09:32] Soldier J**
Die!
**[09:43] Soldier N**
Take this!
**[09:47] Soldier R**
Who the hell are you?!
**[09:53] Asta**
Hup!
**[09:54] Asta**
You must be here.
**[10:01] Soldier**
Well, you sure made a mess of things.
**[10:05] Soldier**
It appears you also have the power of a devil.
**[10:09] Asta**
How can you do something so
awful to your own people?
**[10:13] Soldier**
My people? Something awful?
**[10:16] Soldier**
They're merely sacrificing themselves
so that the Spade Kingdom can prosper.
**[10:19] Soldier**
I don't know of anything more honorable
that the lower-stage filth could do.
**[10:24] Asta**
Your people aren't filth!
**[10:28] Asta**
*M-My body—*
**[10:35] Soldier**
I don't know how trash like you
who doesn't have any mana
**[10:38] Soldier**
managed to get your hands
on the devil's power.
**[10:43] Soldier**
But you're powerless against
things you can't evade.
**[10:45] Soldier**
You're no match for someone
at a higher stage, like myself.
**[10:50] Soldier**
Poison Creation Magic: Basilisk's Breath.
**[10:54] Soldier**
In the end, you're absolutely worthless.
You won't even serve as food for him.
**[10:59] Asta**
Demon-Destroyer!
**[11:06] Soldier**
What?
**[11:08] Soldier**
He erased... the poison?
**[11:11] Soldier**
*How could scum like you have such a power?*
**[11:14] Asta**
You may have the devil's power,
**[11:17] Asta**
but it looks like you've
only got a tiny piece of it.
**[11:21] Asta**
Sacrificing the citizens for the
prosperity of your kingdom, my ass!
**[11:26] Asta**
If you want to fight so badly,
**[11:29] Asta**
I'll crush all of you!
**[11:49] Noelle**
He definitely made a mess again...
That Stupidsta.
**[11:59] Villager**
What?
**[12:00] Villager**
How did he...
**[12:01] ---**
Impossible!
**[12:02] Asta**
I beat the strongest guy,
as well as everyone else!
**[12:06] Asta**
You don't have to worry anymore!
**[12:10] Asta**
Hey, it's Noelle and the others!
Her water armor's always super cool!
**[12:16] Asta**
And now she can use the traveling
water bubble at the same time!
**[12:19] Asta**
Man, she's really grown—
**[12:21] Asta**
Huh?
**[12:26] Noelle**
Hmph! Just so you know,
**[12:28] Noelle**
controlling a transport spell while going
through a strong magic region is super hard!
**[12:34] Mimosa**
Yes, we know, Noelle.
**[12:36] Mimosa**
We made it safely, so you did wonderfully.
**[12:39] Mimosa**
Excellent work.
**[12:41] Noelle**
Hey, who do you think
you're talking to, Mimosa?
**[12:43] Noelle**
I'm royalty.
**[12:45] Mimosa**
I am, too...
**[12:48] Noelle**
Hey, Stupidsta. What's the big idea
of leaving me behind like that?
**[12:53] Mimosa**
He's just being his usual self.
**[12:56] Noelle**
*Take me with you, for crying out loud.*
**[13:00] Finral**
* I almost died from the excitement of*
* being stuck with Noelle and Mimosa.*
**[13:04] Finral**
*Wait, that's nonsense! I wasn't excited at all!*
**[13:07] Finral**
*I only get excited over Miss Finnes now—*
**[13:12] Finral**
Are you all right, miss?!
Who could have done something so awful?!
**[13:16] Finral**
Allow me to gently take care of—
**[13:19] Finral**
No, I can't! Not with anyone
other than Miss Finnes!
**[13:22] Little**
Sis, that guy is really weird.
**[13:25] Asta**
You're so awesome, Finral!
You've grown so much!
**[13:30] Finral**
Thanks, Asta.
**[13:31] Noelle**
There's nothing awesome
about this. Are you stupid?
**[13:35] Noelle**
I still have a hard time believing
Finral has a fiancée.
**[13:39] Noelle**
Are you sure you didn't just imagine her?
**[13:41] Finral**
Noelle, she's totally real!
**[13:47] Guy**
What's going on?
**[13:48] Mimosa**
Plant Recovery Magic:
Princess-Healing Flower Paradise.
**[13:53] Mimosa**
I cannot recover your mana,
but I can recover your stamina.
**[13:59] Asta**
Mimosa's magic totally powered up, too!
**[14:02] asta**
Way to go!
**[14:04] Mimosa**
Thank you very much, Asta.
**[14:06] Guy**
Wow.
**[14:08] Lady**
But...
**[14:13] Noelle**
The place where you live
was taken over, too, right?
**[14:17] Girl**
Yes.
**[14:19] Girl**
Our town...
**[14:22] Girl**
One night, without warning,
that army suddenly showed up.
**[14:27] Girl**
Anyone who defied them
was killed on the spot.
**[14:33] Girl**
If we go back there, we'll probably
be executed for escaping.
**[14:45] Noelle**
You don't need to worry about that.
**[14:46] Girl**
Huh?
**[14:48] Noelle**
Luck and Leopold are heading over there.
**[14:54] (Flashback) Noelle**
Honestly, Stupidsta! Who does he think he is?
**[14:57] (Flashback) Leopold**
We shall follow Asta's lead!
**[14:59] (Flashback) Luck**
It's no fun leaving it all to Asta.
**[15:04] Noelle**
* Come to think of it, I never see*
* her in formal attire anymore...*
**[15:08] (Flashback) Loropechika**
No! I have a separate mission
for you, Leopold and Luck!
**[15:13] (Flashback) Both**
Huh?
**[15:14] (Flashback) Loropechika**
This is the perfect opportunity.
**[15:15] (Flashback) Loropechika**
Let's take over the Spade Kingdom's
outlying base!
**[15:19] (Flashback) Both**
What?!
**[15:21] (Flashback) Loropechika**
Noelle, Mimosa, and Finral,
please go back Asta up.
**[15:25] (Flashback) Finral**
U-Um... Do we really want to
split up our forces like that?
**[15:31] (Flashback) Loropechika**
It'll be all right.
**[15:33] (Flashback) Loropechika**
I'm sure all of you will be fine now.
**[15:42] Soldier S**
Man, I'm bored. Why do we have to waste
our time watching over this dumb village?
**[15:47] Soldier T**
Hey! Don't let the captain hear you!
**[15:54] Soldier S**
An intruder!
**[15:56] Soldier T**
Why, you—
**[15:58] Soldier U**
You're mine!
**[16:05] Luck**
Is this really...
**[16:07] Luck**
all you guys have got?!
**[16:08] Leopold**
* I was told everyone here*
* was stage two or lower.*
**[16:13] Leopold**
* Which means it doesn't matter how many*
* there are. They're no match for us!*
**[16:16] Leopold**
Flame Magic: Profound Spiral Flames!
**[16:25] Luck**
Huh? Did we beat all of them already?
**[16:28] Leopold**
Yes! There's no more left for you!
**[16:31] Luck**
Boo.
**[16:33] Luck**
We're all done over here.
**[16:35] Asta**
*That was so fast!*
**[16:37] Leopold**
Asta! You don't get to have all the fun!
**[16:40] Asta**
*Leo! Man, you sure did grow up!*
**[16:43] Leopold**
*I am Fuegoleon and Mereoleona's little brother.*
**[16:46] Leopold**
*Of course I've grown!*
**[16:49] Asta**
I'm so jealous!
**[16:52] Finral**
I've marked this place, so I'm gonna head out.
I'll come back for you guys later.
**[16:56] Asta**
Thanks, Finral!
**[17:00] Loropechika**
Looks like everything went well.
**[17:02] Gaja**
We've received word that they were able
to take over the base successfully.
**[17:06] Loropechika**
I had confidence that
they were up to the task,
**[17:09] Loropechika**
but they far exceeded my expectations.
**[17:10] Gaja**
Yes. But...
**[17:13] Loropechika**
Yes.
**[17:15] Loropechika**
The real battle has yet to begin.
**[17:24] Villager**
Our town...
**[17:24] Villager**
Are the soldiers gone?
**[17:26] Lady**
We can go home?
**[17:26] Some**
Really?
**[17:28] Girl**
What do you intend to do to our town?
**[17:31] Asta**
Huh? What do we intend to do to it?
**[17:34] Girl**
I mean, the ones who just took it over...
**[17:37] Girl**
Your friends are from the
Clover Kingdom, right?
**[17:42] Girl**
We can't survive unless we obey the strong.
**[17:46] Girl**
Isn't that right?
**[17:49] Asta**
What are we going to do?
I mean, it's your town, isn't it?
**[17:53] Asta**
We're not gonna do anything to it!
**[17:54] Girl**
Huh?
**[17:55] Asta**
Finral's gonna take all of you
guys back there with his magic!
**[17:59] Asta**
Just hang tight!
**[18:00] Guy**
Really?
**[18:01] ---**
They won't take our mana from us?
**[18:02] Guy**
We really get to go back home?
**[18:04] Guy**
That's great!
**[18:05] Girl**
Thank you so much!
**[18:07] Sister**
Thanks, mister!
**[18:09] Asta**
We just want to defeat the devil
that's in the Spade Kingdom!
**[18:13] Girl**
The devil?
**[18:15] Girl**
C-Currently, the Spade Kingdom
**[18:19] Girl**
is ruled by sinister mages
known as the Dark Triad,
**[18:22] Girl**
along with the Dark Disciples, whom they've
bestowed powers upon to help them rule.
**[18:30] Girl**
They are all incredibly powerful.
**[18:33] Girl**
I heard that the Dark Triad are
as fearsome as devils themselves.
**[18:39] Asta**
The Dark Triad...
**[18:51] Dante**
It appears as though you've grown quite
accustomed to using the devil's power, Zenon.
**[18:57] Zenon**
Yes... For the most part.
**[18:59] Zenon**
We've received reports that Candelo,
**[19:02] Zenon**
the fortress we sent toward the Heart Kingdom,
and our base on the border have fallen.
**[19:08] Dante**
Just leave them be.
**[19:10] Dante**
We need to give our soldiers something
to do, or they'll get bored.
**[19:14] Vanica**
Hey, Big Bro Dante!
Why does Zenon get all the fun?
**[19:20] Vanica**
You let him go to the Diamond
Kingdom all by himself, too!
**[19:22] Zenon**
I was more suited for that mission.
**[19:25] Vanica**
What? But you only used about
40% of your powers back there!
**[19:31] Vanica**
I can do about that much too, you know.
**[19:35] Vanica**
Aw... I wanna do something big, too!
**[19:41] Dante**
You've grown much yourself, Vanica.
**[19:43] Vanica**
Right?! So come on!
**[19:46] Dante**
Yes, you're right.
It's about time we make our move.
**[19:51] Vanica**
Yay! I'll finally be able to eat
**[19:55] Vanica**
that delicious treat I've been saving.
**[19:59] Zenon**
Why did we wait half a year?
**[20:02] Dante**
All so we could prepare for the time to come.
**[20:05] Dante**
It'd be no fun if the game ended instantly.
**[20:10] Dante**
We're going to wipe
everything from this world.
**[20:13] Dante**
All order, everything people have
done, the blessings of nature...
**[20:18] Dante**
We're going to make it all meaningless.
**[20:20] Dante**
The keys we need to open the
door are within our reach.
**[20:26] Zenon**
The two arcane-stage mages...
**[20:28] Dante**
They cannot escape.
**[20:31] Dante**
All life is within the palms of our hands.
**[20:45] Lily**
Asta's working hard even in other kingdoms.
**[20:48] Lily**
But...
**[20:49] Lily**
He wrote, "I think the big
battle's going to start soon."
**[20:54] Lily**
Oh, dear. It's getting cloudy.
**[21:05] Lily**
O-Oh, no!
**[21:09] Ralph**
Lord Yuno...
***SIGN*** Petit Clover
**[22:42] All**
Petit Clover!
***SIGN*** Comparing Heights
**[22:46] Mimosa**
Comparing Heights.
**[22:50] Leopold**
Behold, Asta! See how much I've grown!
**[22:53] Asta**
Well, I mean, I've grown, too,
maybe, I think, somewhat!
**[22:58] Asta**
If you look closer, I think you'll
see we're about the same height!
**[23:02] Leopold**
Don't be foolish! Then let
us compare our heights!
**[23:06] Leopold**
See? I told you!
**[23:09] Mimosa**
Asta's in trouble!
**[23:11] Mimosa**
I must help him!
**[23:16] Asta**
See? We *are* about the same!
**[23:19] Leopold**
But that's impossible!
**[23:20] Mimosa**
Good for you, Asta.
**[23:22] Mimosa**
While I'm at it, I'll just let you win.
**[23:27] Asta**
How do you like that, Leo!
I'm taller than you?!
**[23:31] Leopold**
Uh, even I would notice this.
**[23:39] Asta**
Leo! Who said you could grow without me?!
**[23:42] Leopold**
Well, it has been six months.
**[23:43] Noelle**
I've also grown these six...
Hey! Just where are you looking?!
**[23:47] Asta**
What?!
**[23:48] Some**
Next time on *Black Clover*, Page 159:
"Quiet Lakes and Forest Shadows."
***SIGN*** Page 159
Quiet Lakes and Forest Shadows